Carryingarvoa

Carryingarvoa is a term used in speculative social theory and fictional studies to describe a structured method of preserving people’s knowledge, memories, and caretaking responsibilities by distributing them across a community rather than concentrating them in a single individual. The concept emphasizes redundancy, shared accountability, and resilience in the face of disruption.

Origin and etymology: The word blends the English verb carrying with a fictional root arvoa, drawn from a constructed language used in certain narratives. It is not a term widely attested in mainstream discourse, and its usage remains confined to speculative discourse and worldbuilding contexts.

Concept and practice: Carryingarvoa involves rotating custodianship for intimate knowledge, caregiving tasks, and critical practices such as elder support, mentorship, and archival maintenance. Teams or cohorts share records, responsibilities, and decision-making, using agreed norms to protect privacy and consent. Artefacts—digital or physical—are curated to be accessible, while rituals or routines refresh the collective memory and values guiding care.

Applications and critique: In fiction and hypothetical policy models, carryingarvoa serves as a tool to explore how communities can absorb shocks by avoiding sole reliance on individuals. Critics warn of potential diffusion of responsibility, unequal participation, or burnout if roles are not carefully balanced; supporters point to inclusivity, learning, and long-term sustainability.

See also: distributed memory, community resilience, participatory archiving.